Latest news with #UZF
Trade Arabia
16-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
KSA's ACP aims to reach 2.5m seats by end of 2025: CEO
Air Connectivity Programme (ACP) Chief Executive Majid Khan stated that ACP has added over 700,000 seats to support Umrah and visit capacity through the first quarter of 2025, reported SPA. He affirmed that ACP's target is to reach 2.5 million seats by the end of 2025, with a focus on enhancing air connectivity to Madinah from global markets. His remarks came during the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum (UZF) organised by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah at the King Salman International Convention Center in Madinah. He noted that ACP targets key source markets, including Europe, Gulf countries, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and Indonesia in line with the National Tourism Strategy. He indicated that Saudi Arabia is set to launch a new air route this year—the third dedicated to Umrah and visit travel from Germany— specifically from Stuttgart to Jeddah. He also noted that several new airlines, including Eurowings, have been introduced for Umrah and visit travel from Europe, along with two new routes launched last year: Berlin and Cologne to Jeddah. Moreover, he said that French airline Transavia will launch new flights from the Paris area to Jeddah, and from Lyon to Jeddah. Starting in August, he added, a daily flight from London Gatwick Airport to Madinah will commence, generating approximately 180,000 seats. Earlier this year, ACP announced its success in attracting 12 airlines and adding 20 new routes to the Kingdom, totaling 1.5 million seats. The most recent airlines attracted include ITA Airways, British Airways, Eurowings, Transavia, and Wizz Air.
Asharq Al-Awsat
16-04-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Banks on Tech to Boost Pilgrimage Services
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is banking on technology and digital transformation to enhance services for pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors from around the world, aiming to deliver a seamless and comfortable experience. The ministry has made significant strides in digitizing procedures, using technology to simplify access and improve convenience for those visiting the Kingdom's holy sites. This focus on innovation took center stage during the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum (UZF) in Madinah, officially inaugurated by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Madinah. The event drew key figures and leading companies from the Hajj, Umrah, and hospitality sectors. Panel discussions underscored the ministry's strategy of leveraging technology as a cornerstone in its efforts to improve the pilgrim experience, reflecting a broader national push towards digitalization across vital sectors. Prince Salman underlined Saudi Arabia's deep commitment to the development of Makkah and Madinah, stressing the Kingdom's dedication to enhancing the religious, historical and cultural significance of the two holy cities. Speaking at the forum, he said the Saudi leadership and people consider it an honor to serve the holy cities, a tradition upheld by the Kingdom's rulers since its founding. 'God has blessed this country, its people and its leadership with the privilege of serving the holy sites,' the prince said. 'Our leadership continues to lead in serving Islam and Muslims, ensuring the safety and comfort of pilgrims.' People visit the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum (UZF). (UZF) He highlighted that major projects, including the expansion of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah and the ongoing development of services for pilgrims, reflect this commitment. 'These achievements are part of a prosperous era led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,' he added. He also underscored the ongoing development of the Prophet's Mosque and surrounding Islamic heritage sites as part of a broader effort to enrich the spiritual journey of pilgrims and visitors, while reinforcing their connection to the life of the Prophet Mohammed. Prince Salman said the upgrades aim to provide a meaningful and faith-aligned experience that reflects the Kingdom's humanitarian mission rooted in Islam, Arab heritage, and universal values of peace. The forum, he continued, serves as a key platform for decision-makers, investors, innovators, and sector leaders from across Saudi Arabia and abroad to collaborate, exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and explore opportunities in the Umrah and visitation ecosystem. The forum features more than 60 sessions and workshops, focusing on three pillars shaping the future of pilgrimage: aviation, smart cities, and the development of sacred sites. Discussions revolve around leveraging technology and transformative logistics to boost the visitor experience. 'This forum is a strategic platform to chart a new course for the future of Umrah and pilgrimage,' the governor said. Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah underscored the pivotal role of digital transformation in streamlining services for pilgrims, citing significant progress in digital platforms aimed at enriching the spiritual journey to the Kingdom's holy sites. He noted the success of the Nusuk app, which now offers more than 100 services and has attracted over 18 million users. He said the app, a cornerstone of the Kingdom's digital Hajj and Umrah strategy, allows users to book permits for Umrah, access to Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah, Haramain High-Speed Railway tickets, and browse through the integrated 'Nusuk Market.' It also includes a rich selection of historical sites, cultural destinations, and museums to enrich the pilgrim experience. Al-Rabiah pointed to the concrete results of this digital drive, revealing that in the first quarter of 2025, more than 6.5 million Umrah performers and visitors arrived from outside the Kingdom—an 11% increase compared to the same period last year. He also highlighted improvements to the experience of visiting Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah, where daily capacity has tripled since 2022 to accommodate over 52,000 visitors per day. Moreover, satisfaction rates have climbed from 57% in 2022 to 81% in 2024, he added, reflecting the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to empower and facilitate the journey of pilgrims. The UZF serves as a key platform for shaping the future of Saudi Arabia's pilgrimage services, said Amr Al-Maddah, Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah for Pilgrim Services. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Maddah said the forum helps define strategic priorities for the Umrah and visitation ecosystem, with a clear aim of bolstering the experience for visitors and pilgrims. He noted that the event also functions as a marketplace, facilitating partnerships between companies and agents, boosting sector competitiveness, and honoring high-performing service providers. It also provides clarity on operational mechanisms for the upcoming pilgrimage season. On the role of technology, Al-Maddah emphasized that digitalization remains the cornerstone of the ministry's approach to improving service delivery. 'With Saudi Arabia's advanced digital infrastructure and the ministry's adoption of cutting-edge technologies, we are focused on raising the quality of services provided to pilgrims,' he stressed.
Zawya
18-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Umrah and Ziyarah Forum Returns Under the Patronage of His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of the Madinah Region
City of Madinah to host forum with spotlight on elevating every step of the Umrah journey Presented by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the three-day event will welcome over 150 exhibitors and 25,000 visitors Content sector focus includes technology, healthcare, airlines, mobility, and transport Event organisers Tahaluf to bring award-winning organisational expertise to expand the forum's reach The Umrah and Ziyarah Forum (UZF) ( is returning for its second edition from April 14 to 16, 2025 (16 – 18 Shawwal 1446H), at the King Salman International Convention Center in Madinah, Saudi Arabia with an expanded profile, renewed content focus and new organisers. Held under the esteemed patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of the Madinah Region, and presented by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, UZF 2025 will set new benchmarks for the Umrah journey , building upon the remarkable success of its inaugural edition. The event will bring together Umrah service providers, business leaders, policymakers, and innovators worldwide, reaffirming Saudi Arabia's commitment to enriching the journey of the Guests of Allah while driving investment and transformation in the sector. The event is the largest and only of its kind, with the 2025 edition organised for the first time by Tahaluf, the strategic joint venture between Informa PLC, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and the Events Investment Fund. The event will see an expanded global presence, welcoming attendees and exhibitors from more than 70 countries and introducing new content sectors, including technology, healthcare, airlines, mobility, and transport, to explore how cross-industry advancements can streamline the Umrah experience. The event will be a dynamic mix of a world-class conference, an immersive exhibition, and insightful workshops. 'UZF 2025 is more than a forum; it is a movement dedicated to elevating the Umrah and Ziyarah journey through collaboration, investment, and innovation. We are privileged to be responsible for organising this unique and important global gathering that will shape the future of pilgrimage services and enhance the experience for millions of visitors,' said Faariss Khalil, Exhibition Director, Tahaluf With the tagline 'Enriching Every Step of the Umrah Journey,' UZF 2025, sponsored by the Saudi Tourism Authority, aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 developmental blueprint by serving as a catalyst for development and cultural awareness, in Makkah and Madinah, fostering collaboration, digital innovation, and service excellence. The Kingdom's impressive milestone of welcoming over 14 million visitors to Madinah in 2023 underscores the growing importance of a seamless and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage experience. Among the UZF 2025 line-up of sponsors, Rua Al Madinah Holding (Official Partner), Al Rajhi for Umrah (Strategic Sponsor), Tasheer (Strategic Sponsor), Knowledge Economic City (Strategic Sponsor), SAR (Platinum Sponsor), Taibah Investments (Makarem) (Platinum Sponsor), Tawuniya Insurance (Official Insurance Partner), Movenpick (Gold Sponsor) and Mansky (Bronze Sponsor) who will showcase pioneering solutions to enhance Umrah services and foster long-term industry collaborations. The event is also expected to attract more than 25,000 visitors, including business leaders, investors, Umrah travel experts and professionals, decision makers, diplomatic representatives, non-profit organisations, media, entrepreneurs and innovators, and Umrah sector operators. Attendees will gain exclusive insights from high-level decision-makers, thought leaders, and global stakeholders through a dynamic conference program. The conference will feature deep discussions on the future of Umrah services, digital transformation, and operational excellence. Additionally, the accompanying exhibition will showcase innovations across hospitality, transport, sustainable practices, and smart pilgrimage services, setting a new benchmark for Umrah experiences worldwide. Tahaluf, which is behind some of Saudi Arabia's biggest events, including the Kingdom's award-winning technology event LEAP, is leveraging its strong organisational and marketing capabilities to expand the forum's content and global reach and solidify UZF as the premier global platform dedicated to enhancing the Umrah and Ziyarah experience. For more information, visit: Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Umrah and Ziyarah Forum. About Umrah and Ziyarah Forum 2024: The Umrah and Ziyarah Forum bring together decision-makers, experts, and innovators from various fields related to Umrah and Ziyarah. Additionally, it will feature significant participation of leading organizations, authorities, and dynamic companies from both within the Kingdom and abroad. During the forum 2024, six roundtable discussions were held, along with six focus groups, with participation from forty-two speakers. About Tahaluf: Headquartered in Riyadh, Tahaluf brings together strategically important commercial communities from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the wider Gulf region, and from around the world to a portfolio of world-class exhibitions and digital platforms. Tahaluf is a joint venture partnership between Informa PLC, the world's largest trade show organiser, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and Events Investment Fund (EIF). Sela, the Saudi-owned event production company renowned for its creation of spectacular event experiences, intends to join the joint venture in the near future. In 2024 Tahaluf was responsible for the award-winning tech events LEAP&DeepFest, as well as 24 Fintech, the Global Health Exhibition, Cityscape Global, Black Hat MEA and CPHI. For more information about Tahaluf, visit
Associated Press
17-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Umrah and Ziyarah Forum Held Under Patronage of HRH Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor Madinah
MADINAH, MADINAH, SAUDI ARABIA, March 17, 2025 / / -- The Umrah and Ziyarah Forum (UZF) is returning for its second edition from April 14 to 16, 2025 (16 – 18 Shawwal 1446H), at the King Salman International Convention Center in Madinah, Saudi Arabia with an expanded profile, renewed content focus and new organisers. Held under the esteemed patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of the Madinah Region, and presented by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, UZF 2025 will set new benchmarks for the Umrah journey , building upon the remarkable success of its inaugural edition. The event will bring together Umrah service providers, business leaders, policymakers, and innovators worldwide, reaffirming Saudi Arabia's commitment to enriching the journey of the Guests of Allah while driving investment and transformation in the sector. The event is the largest and only of its kind, with the 2025 edition organised for the first time by Tahaluf, the strategic joint venture between Informa PLC, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and the Events Investment Fund. The event will see an expanded global presence, welcoming attendees and exhibitors from more than 70 countries and introducing new content sectors, including technology, healthcare, airlines, mobility, and transport, to explore how cross-industry advancements can streamline the Umrah experience. The event will be a dynamic mix of a world-class conference, an immersive exhibition, and insightful workshops. 'UZF 2025 is more than a forum; it is a movement dedicated to elevating the Umrah and Ziyarah journey through collaboration, investment, and innovation. We are privileged to be responsible for organising this unique and important global gathering that will shape the future of pilgrimage services and enhance the experience for millions of visitors,' said Faariss Khalil, Exhibition Director, Tahaluf. With the tagline 'Enriching Every Step of the Umrah Journey,' UZF 2025, sponsored by the Saudi Tourism Authority, aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 developmental blueprint by serving as a catalyst for development and cultural awareness, in Makkah and Madinah, fostering collaboration, digital innovation, and service excellence. The Kingdom's impressive milestone of welcoming over 14 million visitors to Madinah in 2023 underscores the growing importance of a seamless and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage experience. Among the UZF 2025 line-up of sponsors, Rua Al Madinah Holding (Official Partner), Al Rajhi for Umrah (Strategic Sponsor), Tasheer (Strategic Sponsor), Knowledge Economic City (Strategic Sponsor), SAR (Platinum Sponsor), Taibah Investments (Makarem) (Platinum Sponsor), Tawuniya Insurance (Official Insurance Partner), Movenpick (Gold Sponsor) and Mansky (Bronze Sponsor) who will showcase pioneering solutions to enhance Umrah services and foster long-term industry collaborations. The event is also expected to attract more than 25,000 visitors, including business leaders, investors, Umrah travel experts and professionals, decision makers, diplomatic representatives, non-profit organisations, media, entrepreneurs and innovators, and Umrah sector operators. Attendees will gain exclusive insights from high-level decision-makers, thought leaders, and global stakeholders through a dynamic conference program. The conference will feature deep discussions on the future of Umrah services, digital transformation, and operational excellence. Additionally, the accompanying exhibition will showcase innovations across hospitality, transport, sustainable practices, and smart pilgrimage services, setting a new benchmark for Umrah experiences worldwide. Tahaluf, which is behind some of Saudi Arabia's biggest events, including the Kingdom's award-winning technology event LEAP, is leveraging its strong organisational and marketing capabilities to expand the forum's content and global reach and solidify UZF as the premier global platform dedicated to enhancing the Umrah and Ziyarah experience. Nour Ibrahim MCS Action FZ LLC Legal Disclaimer:
